London Police engage in pursuit and arrest four connected to area thefts

LONDON KY—On Monday, Nov. 26th at 12 p.m. London Police were Dispatched to L&N Federal Credit Union on KY-192 in reference to a black minivan involved in possible thefts within London and Laurel County.

Upon officer arrival at L&N Federal Credit Union, Lt. Doug Thomas, Ofc. Cody Blackwell, and Sgt. Greg Poynter of the Laurel Co. Sheriff’s Dept. attempted to make contact with a passenger in the vehicle, Tabitha Borborema, 27, of Burlington, NJ, who refused to speak. Ofc. Ashley Wampler and Ofc. Eric Stallard made contact with the driver, Johnathan C. Murphy, 24, of Enfield, Conn., who was acting nervous. At that time, a back seat passenger, Louis J. Green, Jr., 26, of Pompano Beach, Fla., grabbed the gearshift while the driver accelerated to reverse the van.

As the van reversed, Ofc. Wampler and Ofc. Stallard was pinned up against a concrete column. The vehicle knocked officers to the ground, then sped off towards the downtown area. Chief Derek House and

Capt. Darrel Kilburn, joined officers in the vehicle pursuit that ended at the railroad crossing on East 4th Street that was actively under construction.

The vehicle crashed on the railroad tracks and officers engaged in a foot pursuit of all passengers. Richard C. Baker, 28, of Pompano Beach, Fla., a passenger in the vehicle fled on foot and resisted arrest, causing injury to Major Johnson.

Ofc. Wampler and Ofc. Stallard received injuries. Ofc. Stallard and Major Johnson were treated at Saint Joseph London KentuckyOne Health.

All four subjects were arrested and lodged in the Laurel Co. Detention Center.

Johnathan C. Murphy, 24, of Enfield, Conn., was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree fleeing or evading police with a motor vehicle, first-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, and resisting arrest.